Manchester United are reportedly banking on a personal connection to secure the services of Southampton's standout star, Tyler Dibling. Despite a dismal season for Southampton that is likely to end in relegation, 19-year-old Dibling has shone brightly, attracting attention from numerous scouts with his impressive dribbling skills.
The attacking midfielder, who had a brief stint at Chelsea in July 2022, is expected to leave St Mary's permanently this summer, despite being contracted until June 2027. The Red Devils, keen to revamp their squad under Ruben Amorim, have reportedly sent scouts to watch Dibling in action for England's under-19s against Wales.
United are hoping that the presence of technical director Jason Wilcox could give them an edge in the race for Dibling. Wilcox, who was appointed last year, previously worked at Southampton and is familiar with Dibling from his time as director of football there.
The challenge for United is that 14 Premier League clubs have expressed interest in Dibling, with RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also keen, as per the Daily Mail.
Despite United's potential to offer more regular playtime than some competitors, they are evidently in a period of reconstruction, with Amorim's team currently 13th in the Premier League.
Dibling has netted four goals and provided two assists in 30 matches for Saints this season, but these figures don't fully encapsulate his performance. The young player has consistently outperformed his peers, often single-handedly driving the ball forward and providing Southampton with a counter-attacking threat.
Former Saints boss Russell Martin gave Dibling ample opportunities and addressed speculation about his future last December. "I was told some rumours about Man United, one was a bid of £21million," Martin revealed.
"I'm not sure you'll get his left foot for that. We have offered him a contract, a really good contract for someone his age. At the minute, I don't think his agent agrees, so that's where we're at."
This article first appeared on The Mirror.